autoinfection

Pronunciation: aw′tō-in-fek′shŭn

Definition:

1. Reinfection by microbes or parasitic organisms that have already passed through an infective cycle.
2. Self-infection by direct contagion, as with pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) eggs passed in the infectious state and transmitted by fingernails (anal-oral route).

Synonym(s): autoreinfection, self-infection

Further information

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© Copyright 2018 Wolters Kluwer. All Rights Reserved. Review date: Sep 19, 2016.

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